Preparing for any kind of interview can be stressful and challenging. This will be more so for people who change their career midway through and are exposed to a new job role or unfamiliar industry. The candidate will need to be well prepared if they are to make sure that their previous job experiences will be considered for the new job role and also to make sure that their reason for switching industries is justified during the interview. From this blog, learn 7+ interview preparation tips while switching industries.
Significance of Interview Preparation Tips
During your job interview preparation, a prospective employer might inquire about your reasons for changing careers. This gives the hiring manager a better understanding of your motivations for changing careers and lets you discuss why you think you are a good fit for the new job. Knowing the interview questions, you will most likely be asked might help you prepare competent answers to utilize during the interview.
You could talk about how this is finally the opportunity for you to pursue your passion as a career. Also, you can talk about how the skills you have acquired till now can help you further in the new job role and industry. You could also demonstrate your commitment to the job by showcasing that the new job is not just a passing fancy and that you are not a random job hopper.
Why Might Switching Industries Midway Benefit Your Career?
Transitioning your career or doing a career change is highly challenging. You may be simply switching up organizations, job functions, or even making an entire career revamp. Before doing so, you must understand why you need to switch industries midway through. Take a step back and consider the reasons for industry transition and why it benefits your career.
- Switching careers is probably one of the best ways to broaden your experience.
- Limiting yourself to one industry may be limiting your career possibilities.
- It helps you to step outside beyond your comfort zone instead of being complacent in your industry
- May open up more avenues or industries that you are more passionate about
- You may be expanding your network when you switch industries
- It helps to increase your salary and benefits
How to Prepare for the Interview While Switching Industries?
Job interview preparation while switching industries to something unfamiliar can be stressful. Here, we have compiled some tips on how to prepare for the interview while changing industries.
Do proper research on the potential career path
First, do proper research and see if the potential career path is growing, declining, or stagnating. You should also prepare for the interviews to help you understand the skills required for the new job role/ industry. Also, know where you stand among the other candidates who have applied for the same position/industry.
Properly package your skills
You need to know that if your previous work experiences differ from the current job role you are applying for, you would need to look beyond your resume to sell your skills to the prospective employer. You must also think creatively about linking your experience and making it relevant to the new job. Consider your considerable experiences and then break them into transferable skills. Here it means to make your previous experiences count.
Understand your strengths and capitalize on them
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when starting your career from scratch in a new industry. So, it pays to be ready for the interview by showcasing your strengths via the interviews and by capitalizing on them. Be confident about your skills and keep consistent eye contact with the interviewer throughout the process. Also, speak entirely assertively.
List Out Equitable Experiences or Transferable Skills
First, you should audit your past experiences and list equitable and transferrable skills and anecdotes, which you can demonstrate in the interview questions. Ensuring that your past experiences can be showcased as relevant to the prospective job role is the best way to woo the future employer. You can read the job description and job roles to see how to best match your past experiences with them.
Be well-prepared to sell your decision to make the switch
One likely question in the interview is, “Why did you decide to make the career switch?” Be well prepared to answer this question. Any prospective employer would want to know your logic behind deciding to switch industries. They would like to know why you made the decision and if you have thought about it. Every organization is taking a risk when they hire any employee who is transferring. So, they would want to know if you are likely to continue in that job role or with the organization. A compelling lineup of valid reasons reaffirming your commitment and laying to rest all doubts is crucial in such circumstances.
Concentrate on the Industry You Want to
When switching careers, it is always better to focus on one industry. It will benefit you if it’s in the same industry that you have worked in. Knowing the people in the industry that you are moving to will certainly help. Now, even if you are moving to a new industry, knowing what you are about to get into can be beneficial.
Investigate Trends
You should have a long time goal and work towards setting and achieving that. Your career switch should be the logical step in your career plan. For that, it is best to keep track of the trends and see where you can fit in. Know if the current trends are long-lasting and if they can keep you interested enough to start your career based on that. This will also ensure the longevity of the career.
Build Your Brand
You should also consider building your brand, as it can be pretty lucrative. It is your unique selling point. You should also build your social media network and can connect with potential bosses or recruiters via these job sites. You should use your personality online as an extension of your business. You have to get your name out there as a professional of your field.
Should You Prepare for Interviews To Make Your Next Move a Success?
Job Interview preparation are always the first step to landing your job. It’s the first meeting between you and your prospective employer. This is the time to showcase your talents, skills, achievements and accomplishments and to make your case the best fit for the prospective industry and job role. From the employer’s perspective, hiring is a core investment decision as employees can make or break a company, especially those at the early startup stage. They must ensure they have hired the right person with the right skills.
It is also recommended for the candidates to use the 20 -40-40 approach to the interview preparations. They can spend about 20% researching the organizations and job roles, then about 40% of their time identifying the type of questions that could be asked and about 40% preparing to answer them perfectly. As a candidate, you can increase your chances of getting hired by preparing rigorously for the interviews.
FAQs
- How to answer the question, “why do you want to switch industries?”
Answer: I can see my future as a [Job Role] opening out before me as a member of the [Organization’s] team. I am confident that I can contribute my [skillset] to [Project] and acquire fresh experience to advance my career at [Company Name]. I am excited about this chance to advance my career with [Company Name].
You should focus on the positives and emphasize your career path and growth. You can also consider giving external reasons for moving on or for a career change.
- How do you prepare for a career change interview?
Here are some tips to prepare for the career change interview:
- Be aware of the cultural shifts and adjust accordingly
- Play Up Similar Skills
- Plan your learning of new skills.
- Put Your Flexibility on Display.
- List any benefits of your previous career path.
- Be Ready to Describe Your Reasons for Changing Careers.
3. What are the tips for when you transition careers?
These are a few tips applicable for when you transition careers.
- Find out what abilities are transferable
- Research your current abilities and strengths and see if they apply to your chosen industry
- Identify the skills you want
- Learn about the Industry
- Think about how life changes
- Quit your current job
- Do courses and certifications as required
- Network well
- Refresh your resume
